Film processor



United States Patent Inventors Gary G. Witt Santa Monica, California;

Robert Reynolds, Yuma, Arizona Appl. No. 728,659

Filed May 13, 1968 Patented Nov. 24, 1970 Assignee M. Brunson Motley, Inc.

Van Nuys, California doing business as Richard Manufacturing Co., a corporation of California FILM PROCESSOR 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 95/89, 95/99, 116/22, 259/11 Int. Cl G03d 3/04 Field of Search 95/89, 94,

99;259/lnq; 116/22, 24, 25

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,529,495 11/1950 Harlow 95/99 2,545,914 3/1951 Boucher.. 95/89(Misc) 2,946,273 7/1960 Hitzl 95/99 3,081,688 3/1963 Palmer 95/89 Primary Examiner-John M. Horan Assistant Examiner-Robert P. Greiner Attorney- Lindenberg & Freilich ABSTRACT: Apparatus suitable for processing a variety of types of photographic films. The apparatus comprises a tank for holding the film and processing solution, and timing means for activating an alarm to signal the end of successive processing periods when the solution must be changed. The duration of each period is governed by an interchangeable timing cam driven by a motor. The motor also drives the alarm which is activated at the end of a processing period, and reciprocates a stirring shaft for stirring the solution in the tank.

Patented Nov. 24, 1970 3,541,943

6A2, 60 TAI/TT ROBE/QT RES/HOLDS INVILV'I'ORS J BY Patented Nov. 24, 1970 Sheet S Tm rum N NL wmm j mm Z @O R &M

m a w q-r-romSss/s FILM PROCESSOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to film processing apparatus.

A widely used method for developing photographic film by amateurs involves the use of a light-tight tank which holds the exposed film and the developing chemicals. The film is generally held on a reel which is rotatably mounted within the tank, so that rotation of the film and reel agitates the chemicals. The reel is held on a readily accessible central shaft, so that a stirring knob can be attached to the shaft to rotate the reel and agitate the chemicals. Instructions generally specify thatthe knob should be pivoted back and forth at regular inlervals, such as for seconds every minute. The reciprocal pivoting creates turbulence which aids in agitation.

It is the usual practice for the photographer to reciprocate the stirring knob by hand while keeping track of the elapsed time. By keeping track of the time, he can change the chemicals after the required periods, for the particular film being developed. The operation is tedious and prevents the operator from doing other work while the film is being developed. Furthermore, there is a danger that the operator may forget to change thechemicals at the proper time and thereby ruin the film. The proper time periods for a particular film are indicated in tables, and the operator must repeatedly refer to the tables for each period.

OB IECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide an ap paratus suitable for use by an amateur photographer for processing a variety ofdifferent types of films.

Another object is to provide a simple and economical apparatus for operating a stirring mechanism of an amateur developing tank and notifying the amateur photographer when the chemicals therein must be changed.

Still another object is'to provide stirring and timing apparatus wherein the timing periods can be readily changed to those required for any of the most popular types of photographic film.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a film processor comprising a frame for holding a developing tank. A stirring shaft of the processor is adapted to engage and operate the stirring mechanism ofthe tank. The apparatus also includes a timing cam for determining the end of each developing period, when the chemicals in the tank should be changed, and an alarm which is operated by the timing cam after each of the developing periods.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a single gearhead motor is employed to drive a multiplying gear train connected to the stirring shaft and a reduction gear train for rotating the timing cam. The alarm preferably comprises a lever which is spring biased toward a ratchet wheel on a multiplying gear train, the lever being held away from the ratchet wheel by the timing cam. After each developing period, the cam releases the lever so it moves against the rotating ratchet wheel to sound the alarm. The'ratchet wheel repeatedly lifts and releases the lever to strike the ratchet wheel and create the alarm sound. This sound is amplified by acoustical coupling ofthe ratchet wheel and frame, the walls of the frame providing a large area for amplifying the sound.

The timing cam is preferably mounted on a camshaft in a way which allows its easy removal and replacement with another timing cam. Film processor apparatus oftltc invention generally includes several ofsuch cams, each marked with the type of film it is used with. The photographcr-operator selects the appropriate cam for the particular film to be developed and places it on the camshaft. The cam is set with several timing periods, for example, a first for a developer solution, a second for a hypo,-and a third for a hypoeliminator. The operator does not have to look up the proper periods in a table and keep track of them, since this information is already programed on the cam. The operator starts the cam at an initial point as soon as he has poured the first solution in the tank and ill placed the tank in the frame. At each alarm sounding, he changes the solution.

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a film processor constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view ofthe film processor ()fFIG. r;

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the stirring shaft assembly of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION ()F'IHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. I, the film processor comprises a frame [0 having a base 12 for supporting a typical developing tank 14. The'tank includes a shaft 24 which supports a film-holding reel 25. The film processor includes a column portion 16 fixed to the base, and an upper portion 18 for overhanging the developing tank. The column portion I6 is hollow, and contains an incandescent lamp 19 whose light emanates from a translucent face 21 of the column. The light is used in reversal exposure steps which are often required in color film developing. The upper portion 18 comprises a stirring shaft assembly 22 which engages the tank shaft 24 to turn it and thereby stir the chemicals in the tank. A cam 26 for indicating the end of each developing period .is positioned on the outside of the frame to facilitate removal and replacement with another cam for other film types. The apparatus is operated by a motor, the motor and lamp l9 receiving current through an electric cord 28.

As is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stirring shaft assembly 22 comprises a stirring shaft 30 having an en gaging end 32 for engaging the center shaft of the developing tank. An operating knob 20 can be lifted to raise the shaft and disengage it from the developing tank shaft. The shaft 30 is held in a guide hole 34 formed in the frame, and is biased downwardly toward the tank by a spring 36. The spring 36 extends between a landing 38 on the shaft and a crank arm 40. The crank arm 40 has a set screw 42 for engaging a vertical slot in the shaft. This enables the shaft 30 to move up and down independently of the crank arm, yet allows the crank arm to rotate the shaft 30. The crank arm 40 is pivotally connected to one end of a connecting rod 44 that reciprocates it to pivot the stirring shaft 30 back and forth. The other end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to a crank wheel assembly 46.

The wheel assembly 46 is rotated at a rate such as one revolutionper second by a multiplying gear train 48 which is powered by a motor 50. The motor 50 has an output shaft 52 which rotates at a slow speed such as 1 rpm. A first gear assembly 54 drives a pinion assembly 56 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 58. The shaft 58 is fixed to a gear 60, which drives a pinion 62. The pinion 62 is fixed to the wheel assembly 46 which drives the connecting rod 44.

The master cam 26 rotates at a slow speed such as one revolution per hour. It is driven through a reduction gear train 64 comprising a pinion 68 fixed to the motor shaft. The pinion drives a gear 66 which is attached to another pinion 70. The pinion 70 drives a gear 72 which rotates a shaft 74 that carries the master cam 26.

The master cam 26 has a conical hub portion 76 with a receiving hole 78 which is designed to fit over the shaft 74. A set screw 80 in the hub portion can be tightened to firmly engage a groove area 82 of the shaft 74. The shaft 74 is connected to the gear 72 by a friction clutch including a clutch element 84. The friction clutch allows the master cam to be turned to set it at an initial or starting position. The cam 26 has a cam surface 86' at its periphery. The cam surface is essentially a circle with several notches 88 formed therein. This 'cam surface serves to prevent a lever from sounding an alarm until it moves intoa'notch, which serves as an alarm release. In order to prevent tilting of the cam. a bearing ring 90 is provided which bears against a portion ofthe frame.

The alarm mechanism comprises an alarm lever 92 which is pivotally mountedon the frame at 94. The lever has a first end 96 which is adjacent to the wheel assembly 46 and a second end '98 which is adjacent to the master cam 26. A spring 100 extends from the frame to the lever to bias the first end 96 toward the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly-46 includes a sprocket wheel'l02 having a multiplicity of sprockets. When the alarm lever 92 is released, its first end 96 operates as a striker means which is repeatedly raised and allowed to strike the rotating sprocket wheel to create a buzzing sound.

The first end 96 ofthe lever isnormally held away from the sprocket wheel by the force of themaster cam 26 on the second end 98 of the lever. The cam surface 86 rotates the lever to a position wherein the first end 96 is away from the sprocket wheel. However, whena cam notch 88 is reached, the second end 98 falls in the notch and allows the first end 96 to bear against the'sprocket wheel and sound the alarm. The sprocket wheel 102 is mounted on the frame l with relatively small clearance between the center of the wheel and a supporting shaft 104 fixed to the frame. This provides a good acoustical connection between the sprocket wheel and the frame, so that'the buzzing vibrations are transmitted to the frame. The frame hasa large area in contact with the ambient air, so that the vibrations are readily transmitted to the surrounding air to create a buzzing sound of appreciable volume.

I ln'effect, the sound is amplified by the acoustical connection between the sprocket wheel and the frame.

' The film processor is designed for use with one of several master earns 26. Each cam 26 has a marking 106 which is designed for alignment with a marking I08 printed on top of the frame 10, at the beginning of'operation. Normally. a cam contains several notches to provide for several developing periods, for example, periods for a developer, a hypo, and a hypoeliminator. The notches 88 are spaced from one another and from the marking 106 so'that the proper time elapses between the starting of the apparatus and the soundings of the I alarm for the developing of a particular type of film. The particular type of film with which the cam is to be used is printed on a legend 110 on the cam. Generally, several cams are provided forlthe apparatus to enable proper timing for several types of the most popular films.

The pivoting of the stirring shaft assembly 22 is accomplished intermittently, such as for a period of twenty seconds out ofevery minute. This is in accordance with instructions for manual stirring accompanying some of the most common chemical developing kits. intermittent operation is accomplished by employing a first gear assembly 54 which includes a A o 55 gear sector 53 havinggear teeth on only 120 of its circumference. Another portion 55 of the first gear assembly has a smooth circular periphery on the other 240 of the gear asse mbly. The portion 55 engages an indented area of a cam portion 57 of the pinion assembly to hold it stationary for twothirds of a rotation of the first gear assembly. Such types of mechanisms for producing intermittent motion are well known. Of course, a simple gear train can be used to produce uninterrupted stirring.

In order to develop an exposed roll of film, it is first placed in thetank 14. The electric cord 28 is plugged into an outlet to energize the motor and the proper cam 26 is installed on the camshaft 74. The cam' marking 106 is then aligned with the 1 marking 108 on the frame and the developer solution is immediately poured into the tank. The operating knob 20 is lifted while the tank is placed on the base 12 of the film processor, and the operating knob 20 is then released. The apparatus can then be left unattended until the alarm is sounded.

During the developing period, the apparatus repeatedly pivots the stirring shaft assembly 22. At the end of the first timing period of perhaps ten minutes duration, when the solution must be changed, a first notch 88 reaches the second end 98 of the alarm lever. The first end 96 of the alarm lever then bears against the sprocket wheel 102 to sound the alarm and inform the operator to change the solution. The operator then lifts the operating knob20 to remove the tank. He pours out the first solution and replaces it with a second, then replaces the tank on the processor. After the second developing period is over, the alarm sounds again, and the operator again changes the tank solution. This may continue through a third or further periods. In color film developing, the film may have to be removed from the tank, exposed to the light emanating from the translucent face 21 of the column portion, and replaced in the tank for further processing. Finally, the tank is removed, and-the now-developed film is ready for viewing or for use in making prints.

As described above, the film processor ofthe present invention performs several operations with a simple mechanism which iseconomical to produce. lt reciprocates the film in the developing tank in an optimal fashion by moving it back and forth to create. a gentle turbulence that aids in developing, and which is generally specified in developing manuals. The apparatus also times the various developing steps and sounds an alarm with an extremely simple mechanism. A single motor drives the stirring, timing, and alarm sounding mechanisms. The alarm mechanism utilizes a wheel with projections, which must be rotated. at an appreciable speed such as one revolution per second, and the stirring mechanism also requires an appreciable speed of the same order. Construction is simplified by using one multiplying gear train to provide the appreciable speedsrequired, and by mounting the alarm wheel directly on an element ofthe multiplying gear train.

The film processor can be readily used for a variety of film types with a minimum of effort by reason of the use of interchangeable cams which not only operate the alarm to notify the operator, but obviate the need for an operator to repeatedly refer to a table of developing periods. The entire apparatus can be constructed economically, and has a complexity, and therefore a cost, on the order of magnitude of typical timers that do nothing more than indicate an elapsed time period.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been. described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art, and, consequently, it is intended that the claims he interpretedto cover such modifications and equivalents.

We claim:

l. Film processing apparatus for use with a developing tank comprising-z agitating means for agitating a solution in said tank;

alarm means actuable to provide an audible signal;

timing means for defining a plurality'of successive time periods of predetermined durations including a first period defining an entire period for agitation with a predetermined solution in said tank and a second period of different duration than said first period, said timing means including a camshaft and a timing cam mounted on said camshaft, said cam having a plurality of ,means spaced about said camshaft from each other in accordance with the durations of said successive time periods for operating said means for actuating said alarm a camshaft means for holding a timing cam means, said timing cam means for indicating a plurality of periods of development of durations independent of each other;

alarm means for sounding an audible alarm;

alarm coupling means for coupling a timing cam means on said camshaft means to said alarm means to activate said alarm means;

motor means; and

motor coupling means for coupling said motor means to said stir operating means and to said camshaft means to operate both ofthem simultaneously.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said motor coupling means comprises a gear train for transmitting power from said motor means to said stir opcrat ing means;

said alarm means comprises a member with a multiplicity of projections mounted on said gear train; and

said alarm coupling means comprises lever means having a striking portion for engagement with said member which has a multiplicity of projections, and a second portion for engagement with a timing cam means on said camshaft .means to hold said striking portion of said lever means disengaged from said projections.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said alarm means comprises:

a member having a plurality of projections, said member being coupled to said motor coupling means for rotation;

a lever pivotally mounted on said frame, said lever including a striking end adjacent to said projections of said member and a second end adjacent to said camshaft means for interaction with a timing cam means thereon;

spring means for biasing said striking end of said lever towards said projections; and

said timing cam means mounted on said camshaft means and including a first portion for engaging said second end of said lever to pivot said lever away from said projections and a second portion for releasing said lever to allow said striking end to interact with said projections.

5, Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including means for acoustically coupling said member which has projections to said frame to transmit vibrations to said frame for acoustical amplification.

6. Apparatus for processing film comprising:

a frame including a base for supporting a developing tank having stirring apparatus;

stirring means for engaging said stirring apparatus to operate it;

timing means for timing developing periods;

motor means having an output shaft which rotates at a predetermined speed;

means for coupling said motor means to said timing means;

a multiplying gear train coupled to said motor means for operating said stirring means at a substantially higher speed than said predetermined speed of said motor means, said gear train having a wheel thereon with a multiplicity of projections;

a lever pivotally mounted on said frame;

means for biasing said lever toward said projections on said wheel to sound an alarm;

means for coupling said lever to said timing means; and

5 means comprises a plurality of timing cams for alternate use,

each of said cams having a designation thereon indicating a particular film type, means defining a starting point, and means for releasing said lever spaced from said means defining a starting point by an amount related to said particular film type.

8. Apparatus for developing film which is held in atank having a stirring apparatus for enabling agitation of chemicals therein'eomprisin a frame having a base for holding said tank. a column portion extending from said base, and an upper portion for overhanging said tank;

a crank wheel mounted on said frame.

a crank arm having one end coupled to said crank wheel and an opposite end coupled to said stirring shaft;

motor means mounted on said frame;

means for coupling said motor means to said crank wheel to rotate it;

a camshaft rotatably mounted on said frame;

means for coupling said motor means to said camshaft to rotate it; v

means defining a plurality of alarm-sounding projections coupled to said crank wheel for rotation as said crank wheel rotates;'

alarm lcver means mounted on said frame, said alarm lever means having a striker portion positioned adjacent to said alarm-sounding projections for engaging them at selected times and a second portion for engaging a cam on said camshaft said lever means also including means for biasing said striker portion of said lever means towards said projections; and

a plurality of timing cams for selective mounting on said camshaft, each of said cams having a start portion and alarm release portions angularly spaced from said start portion for releasing said second portion of said alarm lever means to enablesaid striker portion to engage said projections, the spacing of said alarm release portions from said start portion being different for at least a plurality of said cams.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said column portion has a lamp and means for passing light out ofsaid column portion, whereby to enable reversal exposure ofcolor film.

10. Film processing apparatus for use with a developing tank comprising: 

